How to turn round a big defeat

A few days ago the Australian women's rugby team suffered their biggest lost for 10 years, a 37-3 pounding by their nearest neighbours, New Zealand. The fact that their opponents are world champions probably did not help much as the Wallaroos had gone into the game pretty confident. They also finished the game knowing that they would have to play the Black Ferns again only four days later.

That could be a reason for letting your head drop a bit, but instead the Australians rallied superbly to the extent that what was effectively the same team found themselves, a few minutes into the second half, 10-8 ahead - probably the first time the Australians have ever taken the lead in this 13 year-old 10-match series.

They did not quite manage to hold on, but nonetheless this team of relatively inexperienced newcomers finished only 8 points adrift of their rivals, going down 22-16 - the closest result ever in the series. It all shows what passion and determination can do (match report here).

This two game series also shows what a bit of publicity can do. The second test, early this morning our time, drew a passionate and loud crowd of over 1200 to the small Viking Park stadium in Canberra, almost filling its main (well, only) stand. The coverage the series has had in the Australian (and to a lesser extent New Zealand) press has been very good indeed - such as this article here that contrasts the life of an Australian women's international with her male equivalents. They may not have won the series against the Kiwis, but the Australians do seem to have won the battle to be taken seriously by Australian sports journalists - and that should give them a great base to develop their game. All they need now is some funding and Australia could well be a surprise packet at England 2010 - they already think they can win the sevens world cup next year!